Editor K. Bychkova

Project Manager A. Vasilenko

Proofreaders E. Aksenova, E. Chudinova

Computer layout K. Svishchev

Cover design E. Dronova

Calligraphy T. Cherkiz

© Annabelle Woolmer, text and photographs, 2016

© John Woolmer, illustrations, 2016

© Hannah Bennett, poem, 2016

First published by Vermilion in 2016.

Vermilion is a part of the Penguin Random House group of companies.

© Publication in Russian, translation, design. Alpina Publisher LLC, 2017

All rights reserved. The work is intended exclusively for private use. No part of the electronic copy of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including posting on the Internet or corporate networks, for public or collective use without the written permission of the copyright owner. For violation of copyright, the law provides for payment of compensation to the copyright holder in the amount of up to 5 million rubles (Article 49 of the Code of Administrative Offenses), as well as criminal liability in the form of imprisonment for up to 6 years (Article 146 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

With thanks to my mom for everything she taught me, to Eve and Zoe for their enthusiasm, and to John with love

Ingredients

A good dose of fun A few spoons of common sense A pinch of imagination A little preparation A little childish spontaneity A handful of order A glass full of love

Cooking method

In a large bowl, stir the preparation and order until smooth. Then, using small spoons, forks and fingers, whisk together common sense, imagination and childlike spontaneity until the mixture is colorful and full of enthusiasm. Mix love and fun in a separate bowl, then slowly pour into the colorful and energetic batter. Pour the mixture into a simple but cute mold and place in the oven. Use this recipe regularly as your children grow, and remember it until you have grandchildren, and then start cooking it again. Hannah Bennett

About this book

It seems like just yesterday I found myself in a small apartment with my thirteen-month-old daughter in my arms, almost without toys and without a car. I was quickly running out of ideas for entertainment, and then I decided to start baking with her.

We sat on the kitchen floor and recreated my favorite childhood culinary masterpiece: chocolate chip cookies. She mixed the dough, kneaded it in her hands and, of course, licked the bowl. For half an hour my daughter was happy; She was just as happy when the cookies arrived. Of course, then everything had to be washed (mostly her), but it turned out to be not so difficult. Result? Happy mother, happy child. At that moment, I thought that I need to cook with her more often.

This is exactly what I did in the months that followed, especially after her sister was born, because we spent precious time alone with each other while cooking. She became more and more interested, and when she turned two, I had a constant “helper” in her person, who perked up every time I went into the kitchen. However, I had a family to feed, and with a small child in tow, I didn't have enough time to do just the fun of baking cakes and cookies.

To teach children to beat with their fingertips, I asked them to imagine that they had to “tickle” the butter into the flour. We use our own term: “tickle fingers.”

I bought cookbooks for children and looked online to see if there were dishes that my daughter could cook herself for the whole family. But I found either snacks prepared more for entertainment, or children's food, or something that at her age there was no way she could do without outside help. Most of the recipes were quite long and involved unsafe procedures, such as cutting raw meat, using sharp knives/graters or oven-broilers. The recommendations indicated that these actions should be performed by an adult, but I considered that all this was not applicable in practice. Most likely, my daughter will get tired of waiting, or she will get upset and start shouting: “I myself, I myself.”

Having bought my fifth cookbook for children, I gave up and decided to come up with my own recipes. I collected dishes that required only actions that a child could perform: selecting, stirring, kneading, beating, brushing, pouring, covering, squeezing, tearing off pieces - and excluded everything that she could not repeat on her own. I kept the recipes very short by reducing the number of ingredients and steps. I felt relaxed because my daughter was happily completing all the fun tasks, almost without asking me for help.

The more independence and control I gave her, the more skill and enthusiasm she demonstrated. Then I realized that she was showing a curiosity about food that I had not noticed before. My daughter was so happy and so proud that she cooked “everything herself” that she began to eat foods and dishes that she had never even wanted to try before. If she didn’t cook the food herself, she was interested in what I was cooking, she was intrigued by unusual combinations, she stopped being afraid of new things and refusing them.

The secret to successful cooking with very young children is simplicity.

I don't remember a time when I didn't know how to cook. This was a process that constantly happened in our house. I'm by no means a cooking expert and I'm still learning, but my mom gave me the basic knowledge on which everything else is built; I will always be grateful to her for this, and I would like to pass this knowledge on to my children. You may think that starting to cook with 18-month-olds is too early and therefore dangerous. But I didn’t hatch this plan: I just tried it. However, now that I have seen all its benefits with my own eyes, it begins to seem to me that this was not such a crazy idea. Isn’t it strange that almost all of us draw, make various crafts and sculpt with plasticine with small children, but at the same time the very thought of preparing food with them, using almost the same skills, seems something amazing to us. The purpose of this book is to make cooking as simple, accessible and not scary as possible, especially for those who themselves do not feel very confident in the kitchen.

Cooking with kids

I believe that cooking at a very young age has had a positive impact on my children's lives:

"Thanks for the food"

For them, food is not something that magically appears out of nowhere, and they can simply accept or refuse it. When children are directly involved or at least aware of what is happening in the kitchen, they become interested in the results.

"You can also try?"

I am convinced that cooking increased their interest in food, and therefore their desire to try new things. And this, in turn, allowed us to create a more pleasant atmosphere during the meal.

"I can do it!"

When I watch my two-year-old daughter pour flour into a bowl without spilling anything, I realize how much benefit cooking brings to the development of a child's attentiveness and dexterity.

"I did it myself!"

Children really like it when they do something themselves and everyone can enjoy the results of their work. We always put on a whole performance praising the one who was the “little cook,” and our children should give thanks in the same way for the food that the adults have prepared.

“Cooking is fun!”

It's always difficult to find time to have fun together. I know that I always promise to get the kids paint, but then a week goes by and nothing happens. Cooking with little ones can certainly take a lot of time, but by involving them, you can combine business with pleasure when you would otherwise have to do it alone.

What is New Year? Christmas tree, gifts, visits and many, many extra calories eaten at night. And if you add a few more days of vacation next to the refrigerator... Even the most ideal forms begin to float with fat.
However, not everyone will agree to spend their precious holidays with dumbbells in their hands. We offer alternative ways to maintain your figure.

What to do on a walk in the cold

Skiing, skating, snowboarding, making snowmen, playing snowballs, sliding downhill on a cheesecake and just a long walk with the dog are great ways to cheer up, have fun and burn extra calories along the way. We offer several options for active entertainment in descending order by the number of calories burned. For comparison, the energy value of one chocolate bar is about 550 kcal.

Snowboard and alpine skiing

Calories: 650-750 kcal/hour (in the absence of a lift)

Muscles involved: calf muscles, thigh muscles, core muscles.

To get on a board or ski, you don’t have to fly to Sochi - there are areas for extreme sports in many large cities. The slopes are divided into sections according to difficulty levels - pros ski at the top, and beginners at the bottom. A full set of equipment, from skis to special clothing, can be rented at the rental office. For those taking their first steps in extreme sports, experienced instructors conduct classes at each site. Therefore, almost anyone can take up snowboarding or alpine skiing, regardless of gender, age and physical fitness.

Skating

Calories: 400 kcal/hour

Muscles involved: gluteal, thigh, abdominal muscles, arm muscles.

Many of us mastered graceful steps on a skating rink, or at least skating in circles to music, in childhood. There are figure skates in almost every home. You can ride alone, in a group of friends, or even with your child - special support devices in the form of animal figures are provided for teaching children.

Snowball game

Calories: 400 kcal/hour

Muscles worked: pectoral, gluteal, arm, leg and core muscles.

Everyone loves snow fights - both children and adults, the main thing is a cheerful company. The game trains accuracy, reaction speed and endurance. You can play for fun, or you can play for fun - for example, the losing team is busy in the kitchen.

Cheesecake ride

Calories: 300 kcal/hour

Muscles involved: gluteals, calves.

For rides, you only need two things: an open snow-covered slide without dangerous obstacles and “transport”: an inflatable “cheesecake”, a sled, a cardboard or a piece of linoleum. When we rush down a mountain at high speed, a powerful surge of adrenaline and happiness hormones - endorphins - occurs in the body. Therefore, sliding downhill not only allows you to cheer up, but is also a good prevention of depression.

Modeling a snowman

Calories: 250-350 kcal/hour

Muscles involved: obliques, abdominal muscles, gluteal muscles, leg muscles.

All children love to make a snowman. Well, or a snow woman... If you have kids in your family or just cheerful and spontaneous friends, feel free to go to the nearest park to roll snow globes! This creative activity is good for the waist and buttocks: frequent bending and squats are useful in the fight against cellulite and excess folds.

Walking the dog

Calories: 200 kcal/h

Muscles involved: leg muscles, abs, obliques.

An hour-long walk with your pet, playing with a stick or ball, or a short jog with your dog in the forest or park helps burn about 200 extra kilocalories, that is, almost half a chocolate - a good activity for the New Year holidays.

Let's save the result

Along with the loss of calories during an active walk, we work up an appetite. Therefore, to maintain slimness, it is extremely important to keep the desire to eat too much under control.

Capsules will help with this difficult task. Taken before meals, capsules with water form a hydrogel that partially fills the stomach. There is less space for food, and the feeling of hunger recedes, which allows you to get enough of a smaller portion than usual.

Contains 0 calories, does not interact with body cells and is not addictive. Having fulfilled its function, it is completely eliminated naturally.

Keep your hunger under control without stress or harm to your health!

We live in such a dynamic century that sometimes there is absolutely not enough time for important things, let alone for proper rest! However, each of us has a time when we simply don’t know what to do with ourselves. Moreover, preferably, without spending a lot of money (they don’t always have it either, unfortunately).

We decided to help you with ideas on how to spend your free time fun and relaxed, without much damage to material resources. These tips apply to both one person and a group of friends. In general, get inspired!

1) If you love flora in its various manifestations, we recommend making a green corner with your own hands. For example, on the kitchen window sill, or on the balcony. Choose the plants that you like best. Fortunately, there is a wide choice in flower shops. You can even combine business with pleasure and plant spicy herbs for later use in creating culinary masterpieces. Caring for your home garden will not take you much time; about half an hour a day will be enough. This way you will spend your free time profitably. And how much joy the first fragrant bud will bring you!

2) You can also walk through the nearest park, breathe in the fresh air, listen to the birds singing. And if you ride along the alleys on a bicycle, skateboard or roller skate, then the walk will become doubly useful. In the company of close friends or family, time spent in the park will fly by unnoticed, fun and bright. After all, there is always something to talk about and remember something with them.

3) A free concert is also a great way to spend time. If you are a resident of a fairly large metropolis, then such performances are not uncommon, especially in the summer. So, go online, look for special sites that indicate the dates of upcoming events - and go on a cultural holiday! Positive emotions are guaranteed to you!

4) Summer is the time for fruits and berries. You can find an abandoned garden and pick up any number of healthy and juicy delicacies for free. As a rule, apple trees, apricots, cherry plums, pears, cherries, and cherries grow unattended. Sounds delicious, doesn't it? You can even do double duty by freezing some of the fruit for the winter, providing yourself with the necessary vitamins during the cold season.

5) An equally, and maybe even more pleasant, way to spend your free time would be to communicate (and more!) with your loved one. This kind of “bed rest” has never harmed anyone! So enjoy each other while you are young and full of energy! And experiments in bed and intimate conversations will make you closer and closer.

6) You can have a great time at a spontaneous picnic. Gather your friends, pick up fruits, vegetables, whip up some sandwiches - what else do you need to be happy? Go to the forest or to the river bank, take a badminton ball, rackets and shuttlecock with you, have fun competitions and just relax. Just remember to pick up all the trash after yourself!

7) It’s unbearably hot outside, and you don’t want to go anywhere, away from the air conditioner? Then take care of your own home! For example, go through old books and magazines that have long occupied all the shelves of your closet and are standing there unattended. Collect all unnecessary items into bags and take them to the nearest library. This way, you’ll free up shelves at home for new and interesting books, and you’ll also gain respect from the library staff!

8) At night you can also have fun (and not only doing the activity you’re thinking about now :)). You can study astrology or astronomy. It's so exciting. Read information about the stars, find star charts on thematic websites, try to compose your own horoscope. We assure you that there will be only pleasant forecasts!

9) Isn't it time to add to the playlist on your computer or MP3 player? How long have you been uploading new music? If you've been putting it off until later, then the time has come! On specialized Internet pages you will find those compositions that will make your heart beat faster.

10) You can become such a superman for one day and... no, not save the whole world, but go and help some person. “When you do something for others from the heart, without expecting gratitude, someone there writes it in the book of fate and sends happiness that you never even dreamed of,” says Angelina Jolie. So why not follow her example and provide even a little help to a stranger. This way you will expand your social circle, learn something new for yourself, and perhaps even find that same happiness.

11) You can also call your friends and arrange an exchange of clothes (of course, not too worn). After all, each of us will definitely have a couple of things in our wardrobe that were bought automatically and are quietly gathering dust on the hangers, taking up space, never worn, or simply not suitable for a number of parameters. What if this blouse goes perfectly with your friend’s favorite skirt? And these pants with another friend’s jacket? This is a great way to update your wardrobe for free and recharge with positive emotions.

12) Look around, how many unnecessary things are stored in your house? Someone gave it as a gift, bought it somewhere on the occasion of a sale, no longer needed to use it, etc. Items of clothing, furniture, household appliances, decorative elements - all this gradually clutters up the space and only irritates. Isn't it time to collect it all and put it up for sale? You can do this at a specialized fair, if one is held in your city. Or you can do it via the Internet by posting an ad with a photo and a brief description on websites. This is a great way to clear out space and replenish your budget!

13) How long have you been in the library? No, they didn’t just come in to have a look, but actually for the whole day? After all, this is simply a storehouse of knowledge and various useful information. You will always find in her bins an interesting book or magazine that you have long wanted to see. Or you can simply take some encyclopedia to the reading room, and then amaze your friends with your knowledge. Some modern libraries also have a computer room where you can spend time free of charge. And while browsing the Internet, you won’t even notice how the day will pass.

14) You can also throw a party at home for your friends. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to bother with snacks and spend the whole day at the stove. Agree with your friends that everyone will bring something tasty - and that’s it, the food issue is resolved! This way you will save time and not waste energy.

15) The next way to spend your free time will be drawing. This activity does not require large financial investments, and besides, it perfectly develops creative inclinations and imagination. All you need is a simple pen, pencil, paints or felt-tip pens, and a few blank sheets - and the masterpiece created by your own hands is almost complete. If you don’t have any thoughts about your future painting, use the same Internet. There you will definitely find inspiration, ideas, and even detailed lessons or master classes.

16) Self-education would also be an excellent option. For example, you can try to find out more interesting facts about the surrounding nature. Take an encyclopedia or a biology textbook with you to nature, and try to find in them information about all the plants that you will meet on your way. Or you can go to the botanical garden in your city. You don’t even need to take books there, everything will be written on special signs.

17) Pictures can not only be drawn. You can take old magazines, whatman paper, glue and scissors. Cut out the pictures you like and create your own masterpiece. Such works are also called “Map of Desires”. Only on a piece of paper you need to embody everything you dream about and want most: a beautiful car, a slender figure, your own home, children. Just visualize your dream. Feng Shui experts are confident that after this your wishes will definitely become reality. You can also use magazine clippings to create a simple stylized collage. Or a caricature of friends, combining their photos with the bodies of models or famous people. They will definitely remember such a gift for many years!

18) There is a wonderful phrase: “If you have nothing to do, take care of yourself.” Playing sports is a great way to usefully spend your free time. You don’t even have to buy a membership to an expensive gym to do this. Download lessons that interest you on the Internet - and go ahead. By practicing every day, you will very soon achieve amazing results and become the object of everyone's admiration.

19) You can also start an online diary on the Internet. Today there are many resources where you can register and create your own page. Pour out your soul, write down interesting ideas, share tips - and you definitely won’t be bored in your free time. And if you do not block your posts from strangers, and your blog constantly develops, then in the future you will even be able to earn money with it.

20) Attend a paid and free event on LifeCrowd! Choose an event that is convenient for you, that suits its duration and suits your interests.

We've told you just a few ways to spend your time that will take your mind off everyday life and won't impact your finances too much. But there are still quite a lot of different ideas - use ours, or come up with your own.

Useful tips

In the modern world, a person feels like a squirrel in a wheel. Many people live by stereotypes and habits established in society.

However, be that as it may, even the busiest person has a little free time during the day.

Have you ever thought about how many interesting things you could do if you used your free time profitably?

Here 10 great ways to spend your free time.

© Aleksandr Kichigin

This, of course, sounds strange, but why not? Every person is free to decide what to do and how to spend your free time. However, many of us devote too much time to work, which negatively affects our health and rhythm of life in general.

But the human body needs time to restore strength after physical or mental stress. He cannot constantly work for wear and tear.

Therefore, at least sometimes allow yourself the so-called “doing nothing”, enjoy the feeling of complete physical and mental relaxation. Try not to think about anything. Know that a state of complete lightheadedness has a healing effect.

Remember! It's okay to do nothing when you have free time during the day.

© DanilNevsky

Healthy and restful sleep– this is the most useful state that a person needs. Therefore, approximately 30% of a person’s entire life is in this state. As numerous studies have shown, it is Most diseases occur due to lack of sleep.

Therefore, for the normal functioning of the body, it is extremely necessary to get a good night's sleep, which is what you need to do in your free time from work. In this case, the duration of night sleep should be at least 8 hours. We should not forget about the healing daytime sleep.

Benefits of sleep:

• Recuperation
• Restoration of nervous system cells
• Prevention of diseases such as apathy, depression, chronic fatigue
• Strengthening the immune system
• Accelerating the healing process.

© Billion Photos

Even short meditation throughout the day, clearing your thoughts and consciousness can make a big difference. After all, it helps to look at the problem from the other side, and, therefore, solve this or that issue more competently.

It is better to indulge in reflection in a calm and relaxing environment, and not, for example, while driving a car, since in such a situation you need to fully concentrate on the process of driving a car (although if you are a passenger, then you have an excellent opportunity immerse yourself in the power of fantasy).

Take a short break from work to focus on some pleasant illusion.

Feel the warmth in your body. Imagine how the oxygen you breathe restores every cell of the body, improving the functioning of the muscular and nervous systems. These thoughts will help restore mental and physical balance.

It should also be noted that positive thoughts attract into our lives favorable events and changes.

© Sergey Nivens

Music is the best way to pass the time and feel a surge of pleasant emotions. Today, electronic technologies make it possible to listen to music almost everywhere and always. If you are one of the passionate music lovers, then do not deprive yourself of pleasure listen to your favorite music.

Such a pastime can inspire and motivate a person to be productive.

Each song or melody carries a certain sign, experience or information. Try listening to the positive vibrations of live music.

By the way, it has long been proven that soft classical music can have great healing effects on the human mind and body.

Reading books has always been a smart and rewarding way to spend your free time. The human brain is like a theater, as it is full of numerous thoughts and images. With the help of a book, you can plunge into the world that is described in a story or story. You will be able to feel the atmosphere of the era described in the book.

Besides, Reading is a great way to develop your mind, which all successful people know, in whose lives, despite the lack of time, there is always a place for reading their favorite book. If you still think that reading is an old-fashioned way of self-development, then you are seriously mistaken.

And don’t think that books are too bulky and inconvenient to use, because now almost all phones support applications with which you can read any books, not to mention an e-reader, which is extremely convenient for reading and storing many books in electronic form .

© AndreyPopov / Getty Images Pro

There is always a free minute for a few simple exercises. This is the best thing you can do for your body.

There are quite a few types of gymnastics. One day you can set aside time for breathing exercises, in the other - gymnastics for the eyes, this is especially true for office workers who spend the whole day at the computer.

Know that exercise increases blood flow to muscles and organs. Even five minutes of exercise will make you feel better and lift your spirits.

© Yuganov Konstantin

Sometimes very useful to get rid of everything old and unnecessary things, and each of us has a lot of such things.

Putting things in order– an excellent way to combat negative emotions and even depression, as proven by numerous studies. Yes, yes, it is ordinary housework that helps to distract from obsessive thoughts.

Psychologists say that by parting with old things that remind us of some event (even a joyful and bright one), we say goodbye to the past and thereby open the way to a new bright future.

© studioroman

If you want not only to spend time usefully, but also to receive a charge of positive energy, then be sure to organize meeting with friends. A walk in the park together, a game of volleyball, or just a friendly get-together in a cafe will definitely do you good.

© Alena Ozerova

It just so happens that in the pursuit of wealth and social status, we often forget about ourselves and those little joys that make life more interesting and fulfilling. But in vain!

Ordinary going to the hairdresser or spa– a great option to relax after a hard week of work. Men won't give up visiting a bathhouse or sauna.

The holidays continue and we want more bright impressions and fun, because we have been waiting for these Christmas holidays and New Year's entertainment all year. But we can make sure that the anticipation of the holiday and the holiday itself are always with us - all year round.

It is also important to make the holiday complete for the whole family. The value of family leisure is that it distracts from pressing problems and helps to recharge with overall positive impressions. It is moments like these that bring young married couples together and provide an opportunity to enjoy communication.

The best option is active recreation in nature, beyond the concrete jungle. This is a great opportunity to feel the integrity of the family and devote yourself entirely to your family.

Photo source: http://fitnessplus.ru/

If you spend time with your family outside the city or engage in creative activities together, your child will know what relaxation is with benefits for personal development and health. It is important to understand that family values, traditions and lifestyle, including recreation, are received by a person from his family. After all, you also need to be able to rest. And computer games and beer in front of the TV have nothing to do with the category of good rest. At best, this will be a good reason to gain chronic fatigue syndrome and excess weight.

So, it is best to spend your leisure time together by having your own special family holiday, which can be celebrated at least every week on weekends or every day during long calendar holidays. This Family Day can be held with a different “sauce” each time. For example, Family Disco Day, Family Berry Patch Day, Family Swim or Fun Ball Day. You can come up with a list of several pages, if you wish... The main thing is to turn this into a tradition that will become a “link” for parents and children.

Photo source: http://www.ikirov.ru/

A collection of ideas for family leisure:

• Even regular morning exercises can be turned into a fun game. You can use a ball that you pass to each other in different game forms or a jump rope that you can jump over in different ways. Here's the mood and benefit for you.
• Even if the weather on the planned day is not the most pleasant, an ice skating rink or a swimming pool can save the situation. Such a pastime will instantly make you forget about bad weather. An appetizing family lunch and a delicious pie for tea will perfectly lift your spirits.
• Can't get out of the city? Don’t be upset, because you can have a picnic in the nearest park. For this you will need: a thermos of tea, sandwiches, cookies, fruit, a blanket and a ball. Dining outdoors in the warm season can become a real tradition that will diversify your family leisure time.

Photo source: http://karpinskiy.in.ua/

• By the way, cooking your favorite family dish together can be an excellent family leisure activity. Call this day Family Pie or Pancake Day. As your heart desires. After all, when together, everything is much tastier and more interesting. Let good music sound at this moment and delicious aromas fill the house. Make a video. Such moments are your family treasure.
• The child is interested in absolutely all the processes that occur in nature. He will definitely like to grow vegetables or herbs near the house or in pots on the balcony. For a “city child” this will be a real miracle. From the tomatoes or onions he grew, not without your participation, of course, make a salad and an ordinary dinner will turn into a celebration of the First Harvest.
• Another vacation option could be a Family photo session. This will not only add to your photo collection, but also have a great time. Announce in advance that the walk will not be ordinary. You can even come up with subjects for photos or do a costume photo shoot. Moreover, everyone should take pictures in turn, and not just one person. The more photos you take, the better. After the photo shoot, all together choose a suitable album, and in the evening, together determine the most successful photos that will decorate it.